NCSA College Athletic Scholarships Blog

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am a high energy coach who has a “no limits” attitude for the women on our team. I have been coaching for many years with a variety of coaches from around the United States. My wealth of experience and the excitement I have for coaching at the College of Saint Benedict allows the women to achieve their dreams and goals, in and out of the pool.

2. What’s unique about the experience at the College of Saint Benedict?

The College of Saint Benedict designs programs to meet the needs and aspirations of young women, emphasizing women’s leadership and a personal development profile that includes intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical development.

Its values-based and value-added residential liberal arts education provides the framework for fulfilling lives of disciplined inquiry and leadership in careers devoted to the professions, public life and service to others.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am a full time high school teacher off campus so I am able to balance my career in and out of the pool. I hope that I am a role model for the women on the team who have to balance academics and athletics and service as a college student and later in their lives.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

At the College of Saint Benedict, we are looking for academically gifted athletes who want to make an impact on the world. Swimming and diving complete them as student athletes. It is not all that they are. Their team is their support group and their lifeline who support them in victory and challenges.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

If the recruit is interested in a school, they should contact them. In the same manner, if the athlete is not interested in the school, they should tell the coach so they can move on. Be honest about what you expect from the college and the program and the coach.

6. What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete?

When someone is not really interested in the school or program and doesn’t communicate that message.

7. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

The College of Saint Benedict is most successful at developing leaders of tomorrow, in and out of the pool. Being a student athlete is a part of who a woman is, it is not the definition of whom she is.

8. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Our college is very competitive in a highly successful conference, the MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In addition, a degree from our college will admit you into just about any graduate school in the country. The academic rigor of our college is known throughout the United States and abroad.

9. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

email: kwalker@csbsju.edu

website:www.csbblazers.com

College Coach’s Corner: Lancaster Bible College’s Tennis Coach, Zach Freeman

How would you describe yourself as a coach?

As a coach, I work really hard to get the best out of my players. If that means relaxing and letting them feel the situation out for themselves or that means me guiding them through it with instruction and direction, I like to try and let the student-athlete figure out each situation and provide some insight afterwards. I think my players would tell you that I wear my emotions on my sleeve and try to get them to do the same, but still stay within themselves.

What is unique about the experience at your school?

The experience at Lancaster Bible College is a truly special one. Classes are small and teachers provide great support. Our curriculum is very much centered around the bible and our students have many opportunities to showcase their love for God. Whether it is worship and performing arts, mission trips or athletics, the students at LBC can experience a bit of everything during their time here.

What do you look for in recruits?

What I look for in recruits is a willingness to work and to overcome challenges. Having just graduated college in 2008, I know the ups and downs of being a college student. Some days just are not good ones, but those student-athletes who rise above that and strive to be better are the ones LBC is looking for. Obviously, being a bible college has a bit to do with who we look for as well. At the same time, just because we are Lancaster Bible College does not mean we do not want to be the best. Student-athletes at LBC work hard day-in-and-day-out. I want recruits who want to work hard, find solutions and do it for the glory of God.

Why should a recruit consider your program?

Tennis is a fairly new sport at LBC. We are entering our third fall as a program and will be moving to the spring in 2011 when we join the North East Athletic Conference. We want tennis players (men and women) who want to be the foundation of our program. Players who understand there are growing pains, but who can look back when they graduate and say they accomplished something and took LBC tennis to the next level. We do not have the best talent in the world, but we work hard. For those student-athletes who are in high school and want to go to a college where they can make a difference, LBC is the place for you.

If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Anyone interested in LBC can contact me at zfreeman@lbc.edu or go to our website, www.lbcchargers.com and fill out a “Become a Charger” form. I look forward to hearing from our future LBC tennis foundation builders.

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

One that tries to get the very best from his student athletes in every aspect of their life.

2. What is unique about the experience at your school?

It is an atmosphere that revolves around personal attention. The size of the school

and our city allows our kids to get to know their teachers and many people in the community.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am demanding in every aspect of the student athlete experience but it is for their own good. We want our kids to develop into fine young adults that are prepared for the journeys that life brings upon graduating.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Discipline, maturity, athleticism, and determination.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process

cess?

Show their desire to be at our school.

do you really like to hear from recruits?

Any that revolve around finding out more about Thomas University and our soccer program.

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

A desire to only find out about scholarship money. We want kids who want to be at TU because it matches their needs for the next four years, not because we offered the best scholarship.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Representing the University well. We develop outstanding young men and women that represent this university to the best of their abilities in everything they do.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

If they want to develop over the next four years to become the best student, person and soccer player that they can possibly become, this is a good place for them. We do it all in a family environment. My teams are a part of my family. So we first and foremost want good people.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

rzambrano@thomasu.edu

NCSA’s College Caoches Corner recently caught up with Coach Kohlenstein from Colorado School of Mines Men’s Soccer program.  Here is what he had to say:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach? I am a pragmatic coach who works hard to have our system fit our players.  My strongest desire for our team is to help our players become better at futbol and at life.   We try and build a program based on student-athletes that are willing to work hard to achieve new success for them as individuals and the team as a whole.  When I first started coaching I was considered a players coach, thirty years later I am probably considered old school even though I have mellowed a great deal.  I still have a passion to get better everyday and a strong belief in the human spirit.

2. What’s unique about the experience at your school? For the past 5 years I have been the head coach of both teams (men and women) at Mines which has led to a great deal more work but also a very interesting melding of the programs and the players support of each other.  The school itself is in a beautiful spot that lends itself to a very healthy lifestyle that fits our coaches and our teams.  On the academic side all of our students are studying something in a math or science field.  It is a much respected institution and therefore our students are very sought after as graduates.  The student-athletes at Mines are very much students that have the additional education bonus of playing on the soccer team.

3. What do recruits need to know about you? I believe in working hard myself and expect the same from my athletes.  I believe in being fit, getting better everyday and attacking everyday to enjoy that day fully.

4. What do you look for in recruits? I look for technical ability in combination with athletic prowess.  I like players that have a willingness to work hard and want to get better.  Finally have a passion for the sport and to succeed.   These are not in order as recruits tend to have different grades in each area but can make up for a weakness by being strong in another area and recruits always leave room for us to have some work to do together.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process? Do the work yourself, not Mom, not Dad and not someone else.  The recruit is the one going to play for 4 years.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits? What do we expect from players?  Type of practice schedule?  What system?  What is the offseason like?  Do we have time to study?  What position or current player do you think I am like?

7. What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete? Mom and Dad doing all the work and all the Talking.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at? Making players better as people and players in that order if they stick it out and do what is ask of them.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program? We provide a great education on and off the field.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you? Do a little research about the school and program then email, come to a match, call us and or come to our camp.  Visit our campus you will not want to leave.

NCSA was able to catch up with Swim Coach Douglas Carrington for some information on his program at Florida A&M as well as some overall recruiting tips.  Check out what Coach offers for the NCSA Coaches Corner blog below:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I would describe myself as a teacher of human development that uses competitive swimming as the vehicle to grow each student-athlete. I am a challenging, optimistic, goal oriented, quality based quantity type coach. I am always researching and studying new ways to grow student-athletes to their desired potential. I spend some time trying new drills myself in the pool before I use it with my student-athletes.

2. What is unique about the experience at Florida A&M University?

Florida A&M University is a State University System Institution and has been providing higher education in the state of Florida since 1887. Florida A&M University offers 62 bachelor’s degrees and 39 master’s degrees. The university also offers a juris doctor at its College of Law in Orlando. FAMU has 11 doctoral programs which include 10 Ph.D. programs: chemical engineering; civil engineering; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; industrial engineering; biomedical engineering; physics; pharmaceutical sciences; educational leadership; and environmental sciences. While at FAMU, a potential student-athlete will develop life skills, long last friendships and partnerships through the teammates they swim with for life. Our program has a close knit type of atomosphere.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

Recruits should understand that they need to have clear goals about what they want to do when they come to Florida A&M University. That means we want the recruit to think not only about swimming times, but study habit goals, nutrition goals, training goals, stroke development goals and holistic goals. With that set in mind, recruits also need to know that they must supply the effort needed day in and day out to meet those goals.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

For our swimming program, we are looking for potential student-athletes who are interested in our degree programs and also personal growth and development. The first thing we look at is the academic record of a potential student-athlete. We love to see swimmers with IB, AP and Honors class work on their transcript. We also look for potential student-athlete with competitive times in all four strokes and distances (100, 200 Butterfly, 100, 200 Backstroke, 100, 200 Breaststroke, and 200, 500, 1000 Freestyle) as well as the Individual Medley (200, 400 I.M). Though it is not as important, having club swimming experience is a plus.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Well there are four things. First, check out The College Bound Guide for the Student-Athlete. This is a very helpful tool. Second, register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center! To swim at the division one level your eligibility will be determined by the NCAA not the institution. Three, do your research! Learn about the university and ALL it has to offer. And finally, ask specific questions! They will help us find out what information you need to aid your college decision process.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

It is great to hear questions like:

1. What services are offered through our academic advisement center?

2. What is a typical practice session like?

3. What is the strength and conditioning program like?

4. Do you have training groups? What group would I be in?

5. Do you know the graduation rate of the student athlete at FAMU and within the swimming program?

6. What does it take to make the travel team?

7. What are the top 16 times at conference championships?

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student-athlete?

There are three. 1.) Potential student-athletes that have NOT done their research about the academic programs they are interested in at Florida A&M University. It is very important that potential student-athletes understand that they will become STUDENT-athletes. Your academics are first; your swimming is second. As a staff, we strive to aid in your college decision making process. However the student needs to do the homework of finding out what the university has to offer in terms of their academic major.

2.) Be punctual in getting your information to our athletics department. This will aid in the timely evaluation and decision making for our department. Early bird usual gets the worm!

3.) Lastly, potential student-athletes that ask for scholarship money that failed on the first two items listed above. This process is relationship building. If you invest in yourself, then Florida A&M is willing to invest in you.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Florida A&M University Swimming is most successful at helping student-athlete reach their goals. We spend many hours developing all the steps needed for them to be successful. In the last two seasons, 93% of the individual and team goals have been met. This has developed our student-athletes into better time mangers and given them more confidence to step up to the next set of challenges.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Florida A&M Swimming is an up and coming mid major program with a close knit environment for any potential student-athlete to develop. Most importantly you can earn your chosen degree and be a key ingredient to the conference championship team every season. We compete against the best Division 1, 2, 3 and junior college programs in the nation every year. As a member of the coastal Collegiate Swimming Association, each season we get to compete at the premier aquatic centers in the south east for our conference championship.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

By Mail:

Swimming and Diving

Florida A&M University

Gaither Office Complex

Room 221

1835 Wahnish Way

Tallahassee, FL 32310

By Phone: (850) 599-3028

By Fax: (850) 599 3810

By Email: famuswimteam@yahoo.com

College Coach’s Corner features CUNY – John Jay’s Baseball Coach, Dan Palumbo:

How would you describe yourself as a coach?

A teaching, players coach who strives for fundamentals and baseball instinct

What is unique about the experience at your school?

Criminal Justice

What do recruits need to know about you?

We will work as hard as anyone, anywhere

What do you look for in recruits?

Character, maturity, seriousness and work ethic

What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Understand what we are looking for

What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

Not willing to be coached and be part of the program

What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Turning young men into responsible, accountable adults while achieving their highest baseball ability

If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Email

1.How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I am a very competitive coach with a high desire to compete, I am very personal meaning I’m a life coach along with a golf coach.

2. What is unique about the experience at Samford?

We have a high academic standard and we have personal relationships with our player, we care what happens to our players, Our school has a small school atmosphere.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That we work hard but also Play hard, we spend a lot of time getting better and believe in doing the correct thing in getting better

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Competitive, athletic and a desire to get to the next level.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Send me a realistic resume and a schedule in which come watch them play

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

Do I have the ability to play from the beginning, what’s my goals for the teams

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

Parents talking for the players, no manners

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Academics, and preparing players for life after college

9. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Email

NCSA’s College Coach’s Corner offers some advice from Coach Smith about her Women’s Golf program at Birmingham-Southern College – read on:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I would describe myself as a coach that is dedicated to our program and players achieving the highest level of success possible, both academically and on the course.

2. What is unique about the experience at Birmingham-Southern College?

Birmingham-Southern College is a beautiful College campus. You can visit us virtually at www.bsc.edu. Check out our Interim program on the website, where students study abroad during the month of January! Also our golf facilities are second to none. Our home course and practice facility is The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley. www.rtjgolf.com . We just added an indoor About Golf Simulator for rain days. It has 3 camera’s for filming swings and you can play over 100 of the top courses in the world. You can see it at www.bsc.edu

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I am very energetic, organized and determined to make our program one of the best in Division III.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Recruits that are the right fit for our program as a person of character, a good student and good golfer.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Recruits need to find the right school for them. A school they think they fit in academically first, socially and as a golfer.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

I like the hear questions about our College, our Program and what is expected of them. However, I try to give them as much information about our College and program t and it usually helps with the process.

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

Hearing character concerns from the high school or swing coaches or other people close to them.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

We have won 10 events out of 28 in my 3 years as the coach. We are trying to build our program into one of the top program in Division III. We also have maintained above a 3.0 GPA each year and have had an NGCA All-American Scholar each year. We feel like we are a successful program academically, on the course and also successful in preparing our athletes for the future.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

A recruit should consider our program if they are interested in going to a great school first. They also would get to be a part of a very successful golf program and in an environment in which they will be prepared to be successful for the rest of their lives.

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

They can reach me at csmith@bsc.edu. They also can fill out a prospective-athlete questionnaire on our golf website. www.bsc.edu

Check out what Coach Mixon has to say about the Women’s golf program at William Carey College in the NCSA College Coaches Corner below:

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I have been influenced by many different styles of coaching over the years. I love the openness that comes with being a “player’s coach” yet I love the discipline that comes from “disciplinarian style” coaching. I like to be a hybrid of the two. Fun to work with, very decisive and motivating, and strict when the time arises.

2. What is unique about the experience at William Carey University?

The uniqueness of William Carey University is the “family” feel on campus. We all attend Chapel on Monday mornings for 30 minutes. Our faculty is in touch with our students. This is a very positive place to be for traditional students as well as non-traditional.

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

That I am a very positive coach and I’ve got your back.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

Positive people! Good players of course but good people as well. My motto is “I know your game is great, I want YOU to be great! This means on and off the course.

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Gather is much information as possible. Take the decision very seriously. For most recruits this is the biggest decision of their lives up to this point. Listen to your options then follow your heart!

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

How big are the classes? Will I be able to play? How is the cafeteria food? Do I really have to go to Chapel…….yes. Where do you practice?

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

Make eye contact when we talk! It is very important! Shows confidence!

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

Since we are BRAND NEW, Organization! Also hiring the right man for the job, me! Just kidding!

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

Great Academics, Forward-Thinking University, Great Faculty, Immediate playing time, GREAT Coach(haha!) Great Value for Higher Education and warm climate! We play year ’round!

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Contact me at jmixon@wmcarey.edu, cell 251-623-9733, face book search williamcareywomensgolf and add us! We can’t wait to talk with you!

1. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

High ENERGY, and PASSIONATE

2. What is unique about the experience at U. of Incarnate Word?

We are a unique experience because we have High Quality Swimming & Diving, and a High Quality Education. We are one of the few that have both at such a high level. Our Dryland program is second to none in my opinion with a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach just for Swimming & Diving

3. What do recruits need to know about you?

I’m a Christian, I care about my athletes, I’m not perfect, and Nobody wants them to reach their goals more than me.

4. What do you look for in recruits?

I want people that WANT to be better, I don’t want people that will just get it done. I’m interested in those that have decided that GOOD ENOUGH, ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH!

5. What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?

Have an open mind, and keep your grades up. Make yourself as attractive as possible by being a stackable scholarship athlete. Meaning the athlete has a 3.5 CUM GPA, or Top 20 % of Graduating class, or scored a 25ACT/ 1140 SAT math and reading.

6. What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?

What can I do to help the team?

7. What turns you off when you are recruiting a student athlete?

When their only concern is money and scholarship. I know that they are not truly interested in my program or my school. Money should be the last thing that is discussed, not the first. If someone really wants to be at UIW, it will work out.

8. What do you think your program is the most successful at?

My swimmers enjoy swimming & diving here. Our MORALE as a team is usually high! I also think this is the hardest working team I have ever been involved with, so that seems to be the tradition that we have built here.

9. Why should a recruit consider your program?

My coaching style is unique, my philosophy is: “A great coach gets their athletes to do what they don’t want to do, in order to swim the way that they want to!”

10. If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?

Email is typically the best, but we have a prospective athlete questionnaire on our website at www.uiw.edu.